NBA: Five Playoff Matches That We Should Root For In 2016-17

Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball in front of Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Cavs vs Celtics

With the Cavaliers slipping up at times throughout the season and a few other contenders coming up in the Eastern Conference, King James and company may have a dog-fight in their hands this spring.

While the Raptors and Wizards are considered to be two of the teams that will give the Cavs a challenge, the Celtics will have the best chance of actually knocking off the defending champs.

The Celtics’ doubters have said that Isaiah Thomas will not be enough to knock off the Cavs. But we should know by now that doubting Thomas is a huge mistake.

The fact is that the Cavs no longer have a Matthew Dellavedova, a guy who is not afraid to get dirty and rough up some little guys. The closest Dellavedova type of player on the Cavs is Iman Shumpert. But Shumpert may not have enough to keep up with Thomas.

And when Thomas gets hot, that means the Celtics’ role players can be dangerous. That was the case on March. 1 when the Celtics beat the Cavs 103-99.

"[via Boston Hearld] “Nobody holds me in check. Don’t say that,” Thomas said. “I made plays. I average 30 points for a reason. I made plays. They double me. I passed it to Jae (Crowder). He hit a shot. I passed it to Avery (Bradley). I believe in my teammates. And then I hit a three-pointer where they miscommunicated on their coverage, but my job every day, no matter what the defense throws at me, is to make plays and score the ball. I try to do that to the best of my ability.”"